Steam generator or water heater



Dec. 9, 1930. T. CLARKSON 1,784,338

STEAM GENERATOR 0R WATER HEATER Filed Feb. 23, 1929 Patented Dec. 9, 1930 T OFFICE THOMAS GLARKSON, OF LONDON, ENGLAND STEAM GENERATOR 03 WATER HEATER Application filed February 23, 192$,Seria1 No. 342,082, and in Great Britain May 4, 1928.

This invention relates to steam generators or water heaters of the kind comprising a vertically arranged annular chamber for water or water and steam from the inner circumferential wall of which a series of closed-ended water tubes radiate into a central heating space one end of which is closed. In such generators or water heaters hot gases from a burner or other source are delivered let opening at the outer end of the heating space. I

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved steam generator or water heater of the above general type, particularly but not exclusivel for use in larger sizes than has hitherto een usual for generators of this type, which will be simple and inexpensive to construct and efficient in operation.

To this end according to the present invention, a steam generator or water heater of the above type is provided with a tubular combustion member built up of bricks or the like of refractory material and supported by the free ends of the thimble tubes which project radially inwards from the inner wall of the water chamber.

Preferably the tubular combustion member is formed of a series of separate superimposed rings, each of which is built up of a series of segmental or other shaped bricks or the like of refractory material, each ring being directly in contact with and carried by the free ends of the thimble tubes which engage it. Thus the bricks or pieces of refractory material of which the tubular com bustion member is formed are conveniently so constructed that when in place the ends of the thimble tubes project into recesses or the like in the substance of which the tubular memberiis formedwhile the inner surface of this member is substantially smooth and continuous.

Thus where, as is preferred, the tubular combustion member comprises a series of superimposed rings, each ring is conveniently constructed externally with recesses or annular grooves therein so that, when in place, theend of each thimble tube will be enclosed in orliebetween refractory material with which it is in intimate contact, while the abutting edges of adjacent bricks are formed so as to engage each other in such a manner that each ring as a whole will be supported solely by the ends of the thimble tubes with which it lies in contact.

, Hot gases from the burner or other source are preferably. delivered to the tubular combustion member thus formed through a further tubular member which extends from near the burner or the like to the adjacent end of the built-up combustion-member, the part of this tubular extension lying adjacent to the burner conveniently being tapered.

' Further, theformation of the closed endof the heatingspace, i. e. that remote from the burner, wherein the hot gases issuing from the tubular combustion member are deflected so that their direction of flow is reversed and they pass backwards over the thimble tubes along the outside of the tubular combustion member, is preferably such as to assist this reversal in the direction of flow of the gases while a detachable cover or door may be provided in this closed end to allow of access to the combustion space, for example for the removal of ash or slag deposited by the gases as their direction of flow is reversed. The formation of the closed end of the .heating space may vary but it is preferably substantially conical and constructed of refractory material, although in some cases it may be formed of metal and used as a heating surface with a water space behind it.

The invention may be carried into practice in various ways but one construction of steam generator or water heater according to this invention is illustrated somewhat diagrammatically in sectional elevation by way of example in the-accompanying drawing.

In the construct on illustrated, the generinvention has been described with particular reference to a generator of the type in question in which the lower end of the heating space is closed and the hot 'gasesenter and leave this space at the upper end thereof,

- it may be applied equally to a generator of this type in which the hot gases enter and leave the heating space. from the lower end thereof and the upper end ofthe heating space is closed without departing from'this invention. I

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A water heater including in combination a vertically arranged annular water chamber surrounding a heating space, a closure for one end of this heating space, a series of closed-ended water tubes radiating inwards from the inner circumferential wall of the water chamber into the heating space, a built-up tubular combustion member formed of refractory material supported on the inner ends of the water tubes, and means for delivering hot gases through the end of the tubular combustion member which lies adjacent to the open end of the heating space.

2. A water heater including in combination a vertically arranged annular water chamber surrounding a heating space, a closure for one end of this heating space, a series of closed-ended water tubes radiating inwards from the inner circumferential wall of the water chamber into the heating space, a tubular combustion member built up from a series of blocks of refractory material supported on the inner ends of the water tubes, and means for delivering hot gases through the end of the combustion member which lies adjacent to the open end of the heating space.

3. A water heater including in combination a vertically arranged annular water chamber surrounding a heating space, a closure for one end of the heating space, a series of closed-ended water tubes radiating inwards from the inner circumferential wall of the water chamber into the heating space, a builtup tubular combustion member formed of refractory material and supported on and in direct contact with the inner ends of the water tubes, and means for delivering hot gases through theendof the tubular combustion member which lies adjacent to the open end of the heating space.

4. A water heater including in combination a vertically arranged annular water chamber surrounding a heating space, a closure for one end of the heating space, a series of closed-ended water tubes radiating inwards from the inner circumferential wall of the water chamber into the heating space, a tubular combustion member supported on the inner ends of the water tubes and .comprising a series of superimposed rings each built up of a number of blocks of refractory material, and means for delivering hot gases through the end of the tubular combustion member which lies adjacent to the open end of the heating space.

5. A water heater including in combination a vertically arranged annular water chamber surrounding [a heating space, a closure for one end of the heating space, a

seriesof closed-ended water tubes-radiating inwards from the inner circumferential wall of the water chamber into the heating space, a tubular combustion member built up from aseries of blocks of refractory material and ing hot gases through the end of the tubular combustion member which lies adjacent to the open end of the heating'space.

6. A water heater including in combination a vertically arranged annular water chamber suroundmg a central heating space,

a closure for one end-of the heating space, a,

series of closed-ended water tubes radiating inwards from the inner circumferential wall of the water chamber into the central heating space, a tubular combustion member supported on the inner ends of the water tubes and comprising a series of superimposed rings, each built up of blocks of refractory material and having depressions in their outer surfaces into which extend the inner ends of the water tubes so that the rings are supported by and are in direct contact with the water tubes, and means for delivering hot gases through the end of the tubular combustion member which lies adjacent to the open end of the heating space.

7 A water heater including in combination a vertically arranged annular water chamber surrounding a heating space, a closure for one end of the heating space, a series of closed-ended water tubes radiating inwards from the inner circumferential wall of the water. chamber into the heating space, a built-up tubular combustion member formed of refractory material and supported on the inner ends of the water tubes, a tubular extension arranged coaxially with the tubular combustion member and extending from the end thereof to a point adjacent to the open end of the heating space, and a fuel burner directing a flame through this tubular extension into the tubular combustion member, the hot gases from the burner after passing through the tubular combustion member reversing their direction of motion and returning over the outside of the tubular combustion member through I the annular space in which lie the water tubes and finally flowing out through the part of the heating space surrounding the tubular extension.

8. A water heater including in combination a vertically arranged annular water I chamber surrounding a heating space, a-

i closure for one end of the; heating space, a

series of closed ended water tubes' radiating inwards from the inner circumferential wall of the water'chamber into-theheating s ace, a tubular combustion member built up rom a series of blocks ofrefractory materlal and su ported' on the inner ends of the water if, tu es, a'tubular extension arranged coaxi- Qa'lly' with'the tubular combustion member I i and extendi ngfrom the end thereofto a point adj acent to the open end ofthe heating space,

and-a fuel burner "directing a flame through thistubularextension into the tubular com- 'bu'stio'n "memben-thel hot gases from the .burner after passingthrough the tubular combustion member reversing their direction of motion and returning over the outside of the tubular combustion member through the annular space, in, which lie the water'tubes and-finally flowing out through the part of the heating spaceisurrounding the tubular extension.

as I

"tion a vertically arranged annular water 'chamberisurrounding a. heating space, a

'9. A water heater including in combinaclos'urefor one end of theheating space,'a series of cl'osed ended water tubes radiating inwards i from the inner circumferential wall of the water chamber'into theheating space, tubular combustion member built'up'from a series of blocks ofrefractorymaterial and having depressions in itsouter surface into which extend the inner ends of'thewater tubes so that the tubular combustion member is supported by and in direct contact with the water tubes, a tubular extension arranged V coaxially withthe tubular combustion member'and extending from the end thereof to afp'oint adjacent to the open end of the heating'space, and a fuel burner directin a flame through this tubular extension into t e tubular combustion member, the hot gases from the burner after passing through the tubular combustion member reversing their direction of, motion and returning over the outside of the tubular combustion member through the annular space in which lie the water tubes and finally flowing out through the part of the heating space surrounding the tubular extension.

10. A water heater including in combina tion a vertically arranged annular water chamber surrounding a heating space, a clo-' sure for one end of the heating space, a series of closed-ended water tubes radiating inwards iromjtheinner circumferential Wall of thewaterchamber into the heating space,

a; l1uiltmp tubular combustion 7 member formed of refractory material and supported on the innerendsof the'water tubes,"a tubular extensionhaving perforations in its wall arranged coaxially'with the tubular combustion member and extending from the end thereofto a point-adjacent to the open end "ofthe heating space, a fuel burner directing ta flame through this tubular extension into the 'tubular combustion member, and an annular a-ir chamber surrounding the tubular extensionand from which air can flow through the perforations *in the wall of the latter, the hot fgases 'from the burner after flowing"'throu h the tubular combustion 'member reversing their direction of motion and returning over the outsideofthe tubular combustion 'member through the annular space containing the water tubes and' finally flowing over the exterior of the air'chamber.

11'. ,AWater heater including in combination a vertically arranged annular Water chamber surrounding a heating space,,a clojsure forone end of the heating space, a series o-f-"closed-ended water tubes radiating 1nwards from the inner circumferential wall of" the water chamber'into the heating space, a tubular combustion member built up from a series of 'blocks of refractory material and ends of the'water tubes so that the tubular flame through this tubular extension into the tubular combustion member, and an annular airfchamber; surrounding the tubular extension and from which'air can flow through the perforations in the wall of the latter, the hot I gases fromthe burner after flowing through the j tubular combustion fmember reversing their direction of motion and returning over the outside of thetubular/combustion mem ber through the annular space'containing the Water tubes and finally flowing over theexterior of the air chamber. Y

12. A water heater including in combination a vertically 7 arranged annular water chamber surrounding a heating space, aclohaving depressions in its'outer circumfer- 'ential surface into which extend the inner sure for one end of the heating space, a. series of closed ended water tubes extending radially inwards fromthe, inner circumferential wall of the 'Water chamber into the heating space; a tubular combustion member arranged within the heating space between the h inner end's'of the water tubes, a tubular extension having perforations in its wall extending from the end of the tubular combustion member to a point adjacent to the open end of the heating space, a fuel burner for delivering hot gases through this extension to the tubular combustionmember, and an air chamber surrounding the tubular extension andl from which air can flow through the perforations in the-wall of this extension, the

ot' gases from the burner after flowing through the tubular combustion member reversing their direction of flow and returning over the exterior of the tubular combustion member through the space in which lie the water tubes and finally flowing through the annular portion of the heating space surrounding the air chamber.

13. A water heater including in combination a vertically arranged annular water chamber surrounding a heating space, a closure for the lower end of the heating space having a conical inner wall, an outlet opening in this closure, means for closing the outlet, a series of closed-ended water tubes radiating inwards from the inner circumferential wall of the water chamber into the heating space, a built-up tubular combustion member formed of refractory material and supported on the inner ends of the water tubes, and means for delivering hot gases through the upper end of the tubular combustion member.

14:. A water heater including in combination a vertically arranged annular water chamber surrounding a heating space, a closure for the lower end of the heating space, an opening in this closure, means for closing this opening, a series of closed-ended water tubes radiating inwards from the inner circumferential wall of the water chamber into the heating space, a built-up tubular combustion member formed of refractory material and supported on and in direct contact with the inner ends of the water tubes, and means for delivering hot gases through the upper end of the tubular combustion member.

15. A water heater including in combination a wertically arranged annular water chamber surrounding a heating space, a closure for the lower end of the heating space having a conical inner surface, acentral opening in this closure, means for closing this opening, a series of closed-ended water tubes radiating inwards from the inner circumferential wall of the water chamber into the heating space, a tubular combustion member built up from a series of blocks of refractory material and having depressions in its outer circumferential surface which are engaged by and accommodate within them the inner ends of the water tubes so that the tubular combustion member is supported by and in direct contact with these tubes, and means for delivering hot gases through the upper end of the tubular combustion member.

16. A water heater including in combination a vertically arranged annular water chamber surrounding a heating space, a closure for one end of the heating space, a series of closed-ended water tubes radiating inwards from the inner circumferential wall of the water chamber into the heating space, a tubular combustion member built up from a series of blocks of refractory material and having depressions in its outer circumferential surface which are engaged by and accommodate withinthem the inner ends of the watertubes so that the tubular combustion member is supported by and in direct contact with such tubes, a conical tubular extension arranged coaxially with the tubular combustion member and extending from the end thereof to a point adjacent to the open end of the heating space, and a fuel burner directing a flame through this tubular extension into the tubular combustion member, the hot gases from the burner after passing through the tubular combustion member reversing their direction of motion and returning over the outside of the tubular combustion member through the annular space in which lie the water tubes and finally flowing out through the part of the heating space surrounding the tubular extension.

1'1. A water heater including in combination a vertically arranged annular water chamber surrounding a heating space, a closure for the lower end of the heating space having a conical inner surface, a central opening in this closure, means for closing this opening, a series of closed-ended water tubes radiating inwards from the inner circumferential wall of the water chamber into the central heating space, a tubular combustion member supported on the inner ends of the water tubes and comprising a series of superimposed rings each built up of blocks of refractory material and having depressions in their outer surfaces into which extend the inner ends of the water tubes so that the rings are supported by and are in direct contact with the water tubes, and means for delivering hot gases through the end of the tubular combustion member which lies adjacent to the open end of the heatin space.

18. A water heater includingin combination a vertically arranged annular water chamber surrounding a heating space, a closure for the lower end of the heating space having a conical inner surface, a central opening in the closure, means for closing this opening, a series of closed-ended water tubes radiating inwards from the inner circumferential wall of the water chamber into the heating space, a tubular combustion member built up from a series of blocks of refractory material and having depressions in its outer circumferential surface which are engaged by and accommodate within them the inner ends of the water tubes so that the tubular combustion member is supported by and in direct contact with these tubes, a tubular extension having perforations in its wall extending from the upper end of the tubular combustion member to a point adjacent to the open upper end of the heating space, an air chamber surrounding this tubular extension and from which air can pass through the perforations in the wall of the latter, and a fuel burner directing a flame through the tubular extension into the tubular combustion'member', the hot gases'from the burner afteiipassing through the tubular combustion 7 member reversing their direction of motion and returning over the outside of the tubular combustion {member through the annular space in which lie the water'tubes and finally V flowingthrou h the'portion of the heating 10 name to this specification;

space surroun ing the air chamber.

n testimony whereof I have signed my THOMAS OLARKSON. 

